When tragedy strikes, it is common for us to ask why. We turn to our faith for answers, but answers don’t come easily. We wrestle with making sense of the suffering we witness, in light of our Christian faith. Questions are left unanswered. The tragedy is not explained.

In a second pastoral letter to the IGRC on disaster response, Bishop Frank J. Beard reminds IGRC congregations of the various ways we can make a difference as we minister to our sister and brothers in the affected areas.

Donations to the United Methodist Committee on Relief's efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey may be given through your church by designating Advance number 901670 and designating it to Hurricane Harvey. You may also donate online by clicking here.

The Midwest Mission Distribution Center is shipping flood buckets to the affected areas of Hurricane Harvey. You assemble buckets and drop them off at the MMDC, East Bay Camp or Little Grassy Camp. The list of items needed can be found by clicking here.

If you are interested in disaster response training or if you are an UMCOR early responder needing re-certification, check out the IGRC Disaster Response page for the upcoming training opportunities within the IGRC.

Need God?

Are you searching for something more in life? Maybe you feel unloved or that your life lacks direction.
We believe that God values each person and has shown that love through Jesus Christ.

Check out the Story Wall link and read and hear how others have found hope and meaning in Jesus Christ.
And know that you are not alone. The Church is there to accompany you on life's journey. The Church can provide
guidance and support whether you are going through a difficult time in your life, celebrating a milestone event, or
just need companions on the everyday journey of life.
Check out the Church Locator link to the right and find a church in your area.

Who Are United Methodists?

The United Methodist Church is an 11-million-strong global church that opens hearts, opens doors and
opens minds through active engagement with our world.

John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living, on putting faith and
love into action. This emphasis on what Wesley referred to as "practical divinity" has continued to be a
hallmark of United Methodism today.

Looking for a Church?

While it may be possible for a person to live the Christian faith without being a part of the church, it
can also be said that life is more difficult when one chooses that path. This is not to say that churches
are perfect. Because the church is a human enterprise it fall shorts many times. However, when
empowered by God, the church can be an amazing place in which one’s faith can grow. Together, we
are able to accomplish what we cannot by ourselves.

The People of The United Methodist Church help people in their community; accept you for who you
are; offer a place to belong; care for and support each other; show respect for other religions; support
people facing difficulty; welcome diverse opinions and beliefs; and guide others to find deeper meaning.

Use the Church Locator to find a church near you in the Illinois Great Rivers Conference or use the Find-
a-Church locator for the rest of the country to locate the church for you! After all, the church is the only
organization ever created for those that are not yet a part of it.

Want to Serve?

The church calls our response to God Christian discipleship. Discipleship focuses on actively following in
the footsteps of Jesus. As Christian disciples, we are not passive spectators but energetic participants
in God’s activity in the world. Because of what God has done for us, we offer our lives back to God. We
order our lives in ways that embody Christ’s ministry in our families, workplaces, communities, and the
world.

Jesus responded to questions about the most important commandment by quoting the Hebrew
Scripture’s admonition to love God with our whole being. Then immediately he broadened the meaning
of this admonition: “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Mark 12:31).

These verses about loving God and loving neighbor as ourselves are known as the Great Commandment.
Again and again, the Bible teaches us that loving God and loving neighbor are two sides of the same
coin. We cannot do one without the other. Check out some of these ways in which people called United
Methodist are making a difference by loving their neighbor through service.

Want to Grow?

Theology is not just about God. It is also about us. We live out of our understanding of who we are in
relationship to God, to one another, and to the world. The Christian faith is grounded in the love and
grace of God, experienced through Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is
our response to God’s love and grace.

Discipleship is about loving God….It is more than an acknowledgement of God’s existence or a
statement of belief regarding God. It is total devotion, head-over-heals-in-love-with adoration. It is the
deep desire to know God, to be one with God, and to worship God.

There are a variety of ways that we can develop our knowledge of and love of God. These include: prayer, Bible study, worship, fasting and conversation with other Christians.

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, called these practices means of grace. They are
means for developing our relationship with God and for experiencing God’s presence in our lives. These
practices help us spend time with God, a significant factor in loving God.

Need a Resource?

Whether it is a downloadable form or a video for a Bible Study, check out this section to find items that
can facilitate and support your ministries.

Forms are listed and can be narrowed down through clicking the various Form Types located on the
Forms page.

Pastors, church leaders, committee members, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, and any
other individual member of a supporting church may borrow UMRC resources for use in their own local
church or for their own personal spiritual growth. There is no rental fee; borrowers pay only postage
costs.